< Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian

Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/neʔθwi

This Proto-Algonquian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Algonquian

Alternative forms

Etymology

Probably from the same Proto-Algic root as Wiyot rik- (dik-) (“three”) and Yurok nahkse(C) (“three”). Compare Proto-Algic *nikhšeme· (“thrice, three times”), whence Wiyot rikhbé (dikhbé), Yurok nahksemi (“three times”).

It has been observed that "the numbers from ‘one’ to ‘five’ all contain a semantically empty initial (root) *ny-, realized as *ne- before a consonant".[1]

Numeral
Proto-Algonquian cardinal numbers
 <  2 3 4  > 
    Cardinal : *neʔθwi

*neʔθwi

  1. three (3)

Descendants
  • Plains Algonquian:
    • Blackfoot: niuóka (“three (when counting)”)
    • Cheyenne: na'ha (“three times, thrice”)
  • Central Algonquian:
    • Menominee: nɛqniw (“three”)
    • Ojibwe: niswi (“three”), alternatively nisin (“three”) NW, niso (“three”) WO (likely a Cree loanword).
    • Fox: nethwi (“three”)
    • Miami: nihswi (“three”)
  • Eastern Algonquian: *nəhxwi (“three”)
    • Abenaki: nas (“three”)
    • Malecite-Passamaquoddy: nihi (“three”)
    • Mohegan-Pequot: shwi (“three”)
    • Munsee: nxáh (“three”)
    • Unami: naxa (“three”)
    • probably Pamlico nish-wonner (“three”)

References
  • Bloomfield (1946)
  • Ningewance, Patricia M. Zagataagan: A Northern Ojibwe Dictionary. Anishaabemowin Ikidowinan gaa-niibidebii'igaadegin dago gaye ewemitigoozhiibii'igaadegin (2009)
  1. Essays in Algonquian, Catawban, And Siouan Linguistics →ISBN, 2003), page 98: "the numbers from ‘one’ to ‘five’ all contain a semantically empty initial (root) *ny-, realized as *ne- before a consonant (PA *nye- and *ni- do not occur), and *-w-i is descriptively segmentable."
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.